Time for New Brunswick to Take the Lead in Pay Equity

Wednesday, July 28 2010

Women in New Brunswick lose over a month of salary because of wage discrimination. Will the public hearings on Bill 77, Pay Equity Act, lead to any change? "We certainly hope so!" states Louise Guerrette Winchester, Chair of the Coalition for Pay Equity.

December 1 is Pay Equity Day - a perfect time for the Coalition for Pay Equity to make its own evaluation of the public hearings on Bill 77, held by the Law Amendment Committee of the Legislative Assembly, November 18, 19, and 26 in Fredericton.

"We are very happy about the progress made on the issue", says Louise Guerrette Winchester, "The open process of the public hearings allowed the population to express their position on pay equity legislation".

Almost all of the 34 public presentations supported Bill 77, Pay Equity Act. Three experts also addressed to the Law Amendment Committee.

"We are convinced the government of New Brunswick can't ignore the position of so many groups in favour of pay equity legislation" stresses the Chair of the Coalition.

"Now that the Legislative Assembly counts at least 12 MLAs who are well informed on Pay Equity, let's see whether New Brunswick will take the lead on pay equity", concludes Louise Guerrette Winchester.

Over the next few weeks, the Law Amendment Committee will give a report to the Legislative Assembly, which will then decide on course of action it will take.

The Coalition for Pay Equity launched Pay Equity in 2001 to illustrate wage discrimination. Pay Equity Day marks the day women unwillingly begin to work "for free" because of wage discrimination. Pay equity is equal pay for work of equal value.